Skip to Content
Streetsblog New York City home
Streetsblog New York City home
Log In
Bicycling

Turning Truck Driver Critically Injures Woman Biking on 1st Ave — Then NYPD Tickets Cyclists

11:03 AM EDT on April 5, 2017

Cyclists on First Avenue negotiate this “mixing zone” at 9th Street at the same time as left-turning motorists. Google Maps

A box truck driver turning left onto 9th Street critically injured a 31-year-old woman biking north on First Avenue this morning.

The victim was transported to Bellevue Hospital before 8 a.m. The driver remained at the scene and the investigation is ongoing, NYPD told Streetsblog. Their names have yet to be made public and no other details were available.

While the available information suggests the truck driver failed to yield to the cyclist, NYPD officers were seen on First Avenue ticketing cyclists this morning directly north of the crash scene:

First Avenue has a parking-protected bike lane, but at most intersections, cyclists and turning motorists proceed during the same signal phase through "mixing zones."

Turning drivers are supposed to yield to cyclists at the mixing zone, but the treatment is not as safe as intersections where cyclists and turning drivers have separate signal phases. These "split-phase" signals have a demonstrably better safety record than mixing zones.

Typically, however, DOT limits dedicated signal phases for pedestrians and cyclists to major intersections, while smaller cross-streets like Ninth get mixing zones.

This morning's crash occurred in the 9th Precinct, and in the City Council district represented by Rosie Mendez.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

Maximum Rage: Delivery Workers Protest Low Wages, App ‘Lockouts’

Couriers with bikes and signs urge the city to step in as Uber Eats, GrubHub and DoorDash withhold work, they say.

March 28, 2024

The Toll of History: MTA Board Approves $15 Congestion Pricing Fee

New York City's congestion pricing tolls are one historic step closer to reality after Wednesday's 11-1 MTA board vote. Next step: all those pesky lawsuits.

March 28, 2024

Company That Fought McGuinness Safety Project Wants to Seize Bklyn Street for Private Backlot

Broadway Stages to Greenpoint residents: "Street safety for me, not for thee."

March 28, 2024

SEE IT: Hit-and-Run Driver With Fake Plate Seriously Injures Cyclist

The 5 p.m. crash occurred at Flushing and Waverly avenue near the Brooklyn Navy Yard.

March 28, 2024

Thursday’s Headlines: Shakira Shakira Edition

Pop superstar Shakira performed for a crowd of 40,000 packed into the Times Square pedestrian plazas. Plus congestion pricing news and more.

March 28, 2024
See all posts